Luanne Graves

Luanne Graves

(January 28, 1944 - June 26, 2014)

Luanne C. Graves whose Ojibwe name is "Nii-noo-kaa-sii-ii-kway" which means "Hummingbird woman", 70, of Cass Lake died Thursday, June 26, 2014 in Bemidji surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 pm Monday, June 30, 2014 at the St. Antipas Episcopal Church in Redby, MN with Rev. George Ross officiating. A wake will begin on Saturday, June 28th at the Redby Community Center and will continue until the service on Monday. Interment will be at the St, Antipas Episcopal Cemetery in Redby, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

Luanne was born January 28, 1944 in Red Lake, Minnesota, the daughter of Dan, Sr. and Louise (Martin) Charnoski. She was raised and educated in Redby, Ponemah and Cloquet. She worked for 15 years as a bingo cashier, and in the vault, retiring in 2012 due to health reasons. She loved going to the Casino, and talking with her family and friends while she played her special numbers at Keno. She enjoyed New York Times crossword puzzles and talking to her step-children. Her passion for the Minnesota Vikings was evident in the many jerseys she wore to cheer on her favorite players. She was an excellent mother and grandmother to her many kids and grandkids and loved spending as much time as possible with them.

She is survived by her children – Grant (Alane) Graves of Cass Lake Gerry Graves of Redby Gordon (Sonni) Graves of Bemidji Sherri (Stewart) Sweeney of Minneapolis Peter (Connie) Graves of Bemidji Kelly (Peggy) Graves of Red Lake Leslie Graves of Minneapolis Mike (Lena) Johnson of Red Lake Michelle Johnson of Red Lake 45 grandchildren 40 great grandchildren sisters- Carol Charnoski and Diane Bellanger of Bemidji brothers- Charlie (Nell) Charnoski, Tom (Mary) Charnoski Bob Charnoski all of Redby, John (Bernaddette) Charnoski of Ball Club numerous nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother- Dan Charnoski, Jr., sister- Patricia Charnoski, brother-in-law – Dwight Bellager, nephew Demery Bellanger, aunts, uncles, paternal and maternal grandparents, 2 grandchildren, and her significant other- Harold "Snow Monkey" Adams.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Roberta (Wind) Staples, Nell Charnoski, Mary Charnoski, Emily McBride, Mary Strong, Carol Wittner, Elizabeth "Rooney" Kingbird, Patty Masten and Betty Armstrong. Active Casketbearers will be her sons, Grant, Gerry, Gordon, Kelly, Mike, Pete and special nephew John Charnoski, Jr. with alternates all grandsons, and nephews Ivan Wind, Charlie Charnoski, Jr. and Tom Charnoski, Jr.